Today in Portage Co. history: An armed standoff

By Patrick Lynn

Two years ago today, SWAT teams from Stevens Point, Portage Co. Sheriff’s office, and Plover responded to the Knights Inn.

What ensued was an armed standoff lasting about an hour.

Michael Westfahl, 39, and his 33-year-old wife, Denae, were both taken into custody on active warrants out of Adams Co. Both are residents of Wisconsin Rapids, according to Stevens Point police.

The two were suspected of being involved in several armed burglaries in Adams Co., and Stevens point police received a tip they were holed up at the southside hotel on the 3400 block of Church St.

Denae Westfahl surrendered to the police after eight minutes. She was seen crying as she was taken into custody. Michael Westfahl came out after a little over an hour.

Inside the room, police found several loaded pistols and an AR-15. A portion of Church St. was closed to traffic for about 30 minutes.

Portage Co. charges against Michael Westfahl were later dismissed, as he was charged in federal court. He was sentenced last November by U.S. District Judge William Conley on Nov. 13, 2019, to 90 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms.

Denae Westfahl’s case is still pending. She’s been charged in Portage Co. with three counts of theft/movable property, party to the crime.

Her pre-trial conference is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2021.